Probity Services
Management Options Pty Ltd is one of Australia’s leading providers of independent probity services. Our probity in procurement consultancy services delivers robust, accountable, and transparent processes that will withstand public scrutiny. We understand the long-term reputational damage that probity breaches can bring to an organisation and individuals.
Learn how your organisation can avoid probity breaches:
PROBITY
A Dynamic Team of Probity Professionals
Management Options are a dynamic team of nationally accredited and highly experienced probity procurement specialists. Our unique skill set is a key point that differentiates us from other probity advisors. Our team is dedicated to delivering quality outcomes and long-term value through best practice probity solutions and strategic advice.
At Management Options, our probity practitioners are subject matter experts too. We take pride in offering specialist advice in a way that is easily understood by client representatives and relatable to practical applications. Our ‘jargon-free’ personnel have earned a reputation built on trust and respect. This trust tends to result in better coordination during delivery and superior outcomes for your organisation.
How We Work
Throughout your procurement project, Management Options will provide complete probity advisory services, tailored to the risk profile of your project. Our approach is one of rigorous analysis of probity risks and practical and effective risk mitigation options, with a pragmatic and proven methodology for delivering transparent, defensible and auditable outcomes.
When it comes to probity, we undertake a range of activities to the extent necessary to provide the client with the assurance that the relevant probity issues have been adequately addressed by their project. This ensures that the integrity of the process is sound and that the evaluation recommendations are publicly defensible.
As an initial step, we recommend a mutually agreed probity plan is finalised. This plan establishes how probity will be managed and raises awareness of the probity principles and objectives. It also addresses how stakeholders can effectively meet their obligations to probity while focusing on the business objectives of their project.
We also regularly conduct probity audits and are highly experienced with this process. Our auditing approach is to undertake an evidence-based, objective review of documentation, actions and decisions and interviews with relevant stakeholders. From here, an opinion is formed as to how this measures up against the probity principles, including the expected standards of behaviour, fairness, impartiality and transparency as enshrined in relevant legislation, policy and codes of conduct. We then produce a Probity Report documenting findings and recommendations.
We have extensive experience in the provision of probity services to complex, multi and single-stage procurement processes. These processes include:
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Early Market Engagement (EME)
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Requests for Information (RFI)
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Expressions of Interest (EOIs)
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Early Tender Involvement (ETI)
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Early Contractor Involvement (ECI)
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Public and Private Partnerships (PPPs)
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Co-design
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Competitive Dialogue
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Invitations to Tender/Offer (ITTs/ITOs)
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Requests for Proposal (RFPs)
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Market-Led Proposals (MLP)
Undertaking your ‘high risk’ procurement activities with Management Options’ probity guidance will provide confidence that issues are identified and addressed while supporting your ultimate pursuit of procurement objectives and value for money as efficiently as possible.
What We Include
Our job is to ensure procurement processes and commercial transactions are undertaken fairly and equitably. For this reason, we include both Probity Advisory and Probity Auditing services.
Our Probity Auditing services are an assurance engagement, providing independent scrutiny of a procurement process. This provides an objective opinion as to whether the prescribed probity requirements have been adhered to. Our conclusions are based on evidence gathered against prescribed criteria.
Our Probity Advisory services involve the provision of advice and assistance before and during the procurement process, as a basis for improving the procurement outcome to address unexpected probity risks and issues that may arise. In matters of probity, our clients must be protected from financial and reputational risks and other challenges, including supplier complaints.
For this reason, we offer a comprehensive range of probity services over the entire course of a project, including:
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Probity risk analysis and mitigation planning including policies, procedures and templates.
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The provision of probity plans in the commencement phase of a project to guide the team’s conduct and activities.
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Advice on identification and effective management of conflicts of interest.
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A detailed review of tendering and procurement systems and documentation to limit risks and ensure transparency, impartiality, accountability and value for money.
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Briefing project, procurement and evaluation teams on probity obligations and best practice strategies.
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Probity inductions for members of evaluation panels. This includes the associated staff and advisors who might be privy to the confidential material.
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Compliance auditing of the processes of procurement to ensure probity principles and procedures are met and comply with legislation.
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Attendance at key evaluation panel meetings to provide independent advice and to ensure probity is effectively delivered. This includes the closing of tenders, interviews and presentations.
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Advice and reviews on the security and confidentiality of information and documentation.
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Conduct probity training and mentoring and advice for financial and procurement decision-makers.
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Provision of Probity Report/s on the achievement of probity objectives.
We assist with every aspect of probity assurance. Our team will offer your organisation our expert advice and insights, as well as probity auditing, reporting and sign-off.
Why Choose Us?
At Management Options, our proven approach draws upon a combination of specialist procurement knowledge through our experienced probity advisory services.
Throughout the process, we liaise with our clients to examine potential risks, implications and options. Relevant mitigation measures are addressed and conducted accordingly to manage risk.
Our approach has been developed and refined on a broad range of assignments and combines three key aspects:
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Flexibility in accommodating project delivery requirements
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Strategies to address significant issues
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Solutions that are pragmatic and add measurable value
When it comes to professional advice, we take a comprehensive approach that considers probity in the context of procurement. Our process considers:
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Fairness and impartiality: this includes objectivity, fairness and impartiality of the procurement process in reference to key documents, review points and decisions.
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Accountability and transparency: our process upholds accountability to support the best interests of the project and the client organisation. Decisions and documentation are examined to ensure transparency and compliance.
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Confidentiality and security of information: we advise on effective arrangements to administer communications and sensitive records. Processes and protocols for information management are examined.
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Management of conflicts of interest: our team assess perceived, potential and actual conflicts of interest from an independent perspective. Thereby our process manages conflicts of interest through stakeholder briefings and early identification of risks.